Stepping into its 21st year of business operation, Global Ikhwan Service and Business (GISB) Holdings Sdn Bhd, or GISB Holdings, has widely expanded its Syariah-compliant products and services to 17 countries, owning 412 business premises.
The sole-proprietor business started in 2000 but turned into a company in 2013.
Now, GISB Holdings has grown and offers products and services in seven different sectors and 42 departments. The sectors:
- Human Development,
- Education,
- Business, Services
- Media,
- Agricultural and Farming, &
Administration, and - Public Relations.
@Halal spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of GISB Holdings Sdn Bh, Dato’ Lokman Hakim Pfordten, to further understand its business’s more profound concept.
“The main pillars of GISB Holdings include feelings of brotherhood, faith and cooperation in each individual. With these three basic strengths, GISB Holdings develops and exemplifies the religion to further act as a model to society,” said Lokman.
Ustaz Ashaari Muhammad founded GISB Holdings to develop the Islamic way of life in education, arts, culture, animal farming, etc.
“Our operation is about serving society. As mentioned in the hadith of Rasulullah SAW, the best of humankind are those who give the most benefit to others,” said Lokman.
Everything’s Syariah-compliant
GISB Holdings offers diverse Syariah-compliant business and services, from Islamic cultural arts, halal eateries and catering, halal food products, Muslim apparels, to running its product manufacturing plant.
These business and services are under GISB Holdings’ very own brand, Ikhwan. Ikhwan products are pure, clean and certified halal.
Now, GISB Holdings has dozens of halal products to promote to society.
Lokman shared: “We have our bread and buns, noodles, rice strips and vermicelli, variety of beverages, juices, and carbonated drinks, frozen food products, sauce and ketchup, health products, chocolate bars, and even flour. We now have over 500 Ikhwan products.
“We are also involved in manufacturing, retail, and many others. We even have Ikhwan TV that features television programmes as a source of spiritual inspiration and the ideal selection for entertainment.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, some sectors like travel and tourism were suspended.
However, there wasn’t any retrenchment of its staff. Instead, they were moved to active sectors, such as manufacturing. Manufacturing plants were added to fulfil the rising product demand.
Lokman
“During the Movement Control Order (MCO), we converted a section of our café into a civil defence office for Covid-19. But the kitchen remained open for delivery orders.
“Outside Malaysia, our operations were going slow, and some were temporarily closed. But now, our businesses in London, Paris, Germany, and Istanbul are all gradually getting back on track. Our customers presently are locals,” he added.
Beyond halal products and services
GISB Holdings also organises expos regularly and partakes in international exhibitions.
It is also exploring business opportunities globally. In 2018 and 2019, it was involved in the Balkans Expedition, Uzbekistan Expedition, Japan Expedition, Europe-Morocco Expedition and Khurasan Expedition.
In September 2018, GISB Holdings took part in the Sarajevo Halal Fair. The event was an effort to introduce the Muslim way of life. GISB Holdings was the silver sponsor of the Fair.
“In February 2019, we held the GISB International Islamic Business Forum 2019 at Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya to introduce the Islamic way of life in GISB. There were participants from 16 countries.
“GISB also has its own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee, called ‘Remaja Pembela Ummah’ – the youth defenders of the Ummah. It is a lineup of GISB Holdings youths who are being groomed to become successors,” added Lokman.
The committee provides facilities like RPU Ambulance, RPU Tow Truck, RPU Motorhome to give humanitarian aid to those in need.
On a larger scale, the company has brought its agriculture and animal farming activities to other foreign countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
“We are also into equestrian, a Muslim practice or sport which is part of the Sunnah of the prophet. Ikhwan equestrian has 104 horses and 19 stables across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Australia.”
